Monaco Bay Weyr - Exercise Yard
Sheltered from the direct heat of the day and the storms of the season by the rocky walls of the weyr, this exercise yard holds a thick layer of lush grass. The yard offers room enough for the entire class of weyrlings to stretch, romp, and practice behind a tall wooden palisade meant to keep the pre-flight dragons from wandering off too far. To the west, just against the palisade, a small coral of ovines and caprines has been erected for convenience. A freshwater pump is installed to the north, against the wall of the caverns, to provide just enough water flow to clean a weyrling dragon after a meal. When the palisade gate is open, there is a clear, stone-lined path leading towards the paradise river and the designated weyrling beach.
It's the middle of the day, the sun in shining, a gentle breeze is blowing through the weyr. Syd and Marzoth stand in the training yard waiting to get their first real look at how the training of the weyrlings has been proceeding. Syd had been AWLM before he became weyrleader and has maintained an interest in that particular area of the weyr, but has kept his distance out of respect for Kaylis and the other weyrlingstaff. No one likes a nosy weyrleader. Marzoth, goggles and all, stands near to Syd focusing his gaze on the entrance to the barracks, « They better impress me. Or I will take over their training. » Syd glances toward the bronze, "I'm sure they are doing a perfectly fine job of it. It's a big job to do." Marzoth snorts in response, « I won't have any incompetance on display for the rest of Pern to see. Either they measure up or else. »
Coming out of the barracks, Zeleth runs at full tilt, her claws digging into the ground to give her purchace. «Where are we going again? Which way was it? We were meeting someone? Who was it again?» Pinks and lavenders fill the green's mind in a cheerful whirl of enthusiasm. K'lar is heard not far behind the green, "Zeleth, we're going to meet the weyrleader. He's just outside. We'll have to show them how hard we've been working lately."
With routine now a frequent reminder of why one should be up so early, Quinn had spent the morning ensuring that Kith had been oiled and cleaned and prepared for the day's lesson. With her green lifemate having grown considerably it had been a tiresome chore, but one that the former guard had come to relish as it gave both her and Kith time to exchange knowledge, secrets and even some gossip. However, with word of the Weyrleader stopping by on this particular day, no effort had been spared for both Quinn and Kith had worked together to ensure that they would impress - even if some of that time spent had been with Kith distracted by her clutchbrothers. Now, though, with the sun warming their bodies, the woman emerged alongside Kith with her head held proud and her shoulders back in the same manner as she had marched onto those Sands for the first time. Kith, with her trailing wings held in an arch across her back, padded along calmly beside Quinn, although there was no stopping her immediate question to her rider. « Why didn't they come inside the barracks to us? I will need to be oiled again soon. » Quinn, holding back a smirk, presents herself to S'dny and salutes firmly.
It seems that the greens have arrived! Marzoth surveys the young dragons for a moment before turning his head toward S'dny, « That one lacks discipline, and they are both green. » he says stating to him what is obvious. He doesn't give Syd a chance to respond but instead turns back toward the weyrlings and their lifemates and rises to his feet to move toward them, « I'm Marzoth, and I'm here to ensure that your training is up to snuff. I do not allow weak, ill trained young dragons into any of the wings. Even though you are naturally inferior because you are greens I still expect the best. If you are to represent this weyr you must be flawless. » Syd resists the urge to bring his hand to his face and cover it. Instead he ignores Marzoth and returns the salute, "I thought I'd stop by today and see how everything was progressing." he explains with a smile, "How is everything?"
K'lar lifts his hand towards his forehead in a salute, giving the green a slight nudge. He doesn't say anything, but given the look he is giving his green it might be something like 'look sharp!'. "It is very good to see you, Sir S'dny. We are progressing well, at least I am very happy with the results that we have been getting." Zeleth is another question altogether. The green snuffles at the ground, apparently forgetting that she is under inpsection. «Did you wish to come adventuring with us, Marzoth? There is a very facinating thing on the island. I forget where it is, but it was the prettiest thing!»
Quinn is thankful for not being able to hear Marzoth, but Kith certainly is not one to tolerate an 'inferior' comment. As far as the green is concerned, she's just as good as any gold - if not better! Flecks of yellow appear in her blue-green eyes, and her head arches back so that she can look up at the towering bronze. So what if Marzoth was bigger? She certainly wasn't going to let him push her around! « He's rude. » Is the stern judgement given, and the cool pools of her mind seem to ripple with surpressed annoyance. « Do you know who you're talking to? » Yes, Marzoth, behold the green who would be queen if she weren't so.. green. Kith's statement is given a roll of the eyes by Quinn whom tries to reassure her lifemate with a gentle caress of the neck. "He means well, Kith. He'll see how impressive you are soon enough." That is, if her lifemate pays attention for long enough. Already Kith has been distracted by her sister and the sniffing. "Weyrleader, sir." Quinn addresses Syd once more. "Training is going strong, sir."
Marzoth is first at a bit of a loss in how to respond to Zeleth's question. He lifts his head and looks over to Syd, « This ones mind is defective. » he states before his unfortunate gaze returns to Zeleth, « You should be less concerned with adventuring and more focused on what is in front of you, you useless sack of bones! Now stand up straight…» he pauses as Kith chimes in, «…ahh yes….» he says craning his head in her direction. « I do know exactly what I'm talking to. A useless idiot and an uppity firelizard. Both in dire need of being shown their place. » The fairy lights in the dark forest of his mind extinguish. He pivots in place and marches back toward Syd, « This is unacceptable. » Syd continues to ignore Marzoth since no good will come of feeding into it, " I'm glad to hear it. So where are you both at in your training? What lessons?" That should give him a good idea of what he can expect.
K'lar rubs the front of his face, giving his green /another/ look. It is Marzoth who causes the green to startle in pure shock. The green visibly wilts, her eyes turning a distressed shade of yellow. «But…» she trails off, all color draining from her mind until there is nothing but diluted grays and whites. Still, it at least causes the green to attempt to look somewhat presentable. K'lar lifts a hand to place upon his lifemate's hide, "Don't let him upset you, lovely. We'll go over there later today, okay?" He turns towards S'dny, eyes flickering towards the weyrleader. "We learned how to use firestone last week, Sir. This week we will be learning how to go between."
"Well, I've been doing firestone lessons." Quinn speaks, glancing to Kith whom has already forgotten Marzoth in favour of something else. Tail twitching, the green has paused to watch a passing dragon soar overhead. « I wonder where they're going. Should I go check? » Quinn shakes her head, giving the green's hide another gentle stroke as she looks to the snorting bronze nearby, frowning slightly in concern. "Is.. Something wrong? Did we do something incorrect or offend him?" She nods towards Marzoth, although Kith has now settled back into her green-eyed pleasantries, seemingly enjoying the attentions.
S'dny gives his head a shake, "No. I'm sure that he isn't offended in the slightest…" Syd replies to Quinn's question, « Yes I am. Very offended. But I think that there is a solution… » Uh oh. Marzoth pivots once more and walks back toward the young greens, « I think it's time that we saw what you are capable of. Let's try betweening. If you survive then you are not as unskilled as you appear and if you don't then the defective members of the clutch are culled. » Syd gives his head another shake, "No. No betweeing right." he says, now forced to give some sort of response to Marzoth, "We'll let the weyrlingmaster determine when they are ready for that hmmm?" he says to the bronze. "Firestone is always an interesting lesson. I remember when we did that. Had a fantastic time.." he say returning his focus to the weyrlings.
«Between? But we haven't practiced yet. I don't remember what we were supposed to do for it.» K'lar glances between Marzoth and his green, "It's not hard, Zeleth. I promise we'll get through it together. We just have to practice it a bit more. Remember how we eventually got you up in the air and landing with some reguarlity? You'll get it." He assures the green, turning his attention instead to S'dny. "Zeleth forgot what she was doing in the middle of it, I had to remind her she was supposed to ingest the stone rather than leaving it crunched up in her mouth."
Although Garouth might be more of the type to rise to the challenge, Kith will not. It's not that she doesn't want to - she just knows that she doesn't need to prove anything. She's beautiful and wonderful and graceful and Marzoth would just have to see that in some other way! She responds to the bronze with a short snort and her wings fan out just a little more as she attempts to present her milky jade hide in a more regal light. "Kith hasn't flown very often. I don't know if she's ready for going Between yet." Quinn confirms with a scratch of her neck, looking to her lifemate. "And she seems to prefer flying at night anyway." As if that were a valid excuse, Quinn clears her throat and returns to the topic at hand. "Sorting the rocks is more of a chore, but it's still something I've relished to learn."
It seems that Marzoth's plan has been shut down, and for the moment he won't press it. Though the thought remains lurking in the back of his mind, « Then I suppose we will have to see how well you can fly. » he says to the pair of them, his gaze lingering on Kith, « Being attractive only gets one so far. » he admonishes, « Though if you prefer to fly at night you might have some taste. » he says after overhearing Quinns remark. Night is Marzoth's favorite time of day, he'd be nocturnal if he had his way, "Sounds like everything is going very well then. Excellent. You'll be graduating in no time." Especially since they are almost ready to between, "Have you given any thought to what wing you hope to be assigned too?"
«I very much enjoy flying at night, I enjoy flying under the stars, they are very beautiful. I like how they shine over the lake when I fly over it.» Zeleth is certainly keen on the idea, quickly recovering from her shock at the bronze's attitude. That is at least something good on the green's lack of memory, not much bothers her as she quickly forgets about it. "Wing? I'm not sure what wing we would be good at. I would like to continue my crafting, certainly. So maybe the crafting wing, but I am also interested in doing other things like search and rescue. I would very much enjoy learning something new."
Being attractive is enough for Kith, who almost immediately begins to preen herself at the bronze's remark. Look at how she shines with that lovely oiled hide, Marzoth! You don't need to see her fly! Quinn breaks into a relieved smile at the weyrleader's remark and she gives a glance to K'lar as the question is presented to them. "Honestly? I haven't given it much thought. Perhaps Flame wing for me, but.." The rider frowns and then turns to her dragon. "I think Kith would rather be in a weyrling class forever. She always wants to play, especially with her brothers." « That's because it's fun! » Kith remarks, as if stating the obvious. Quinn sighs and reaches up to scratch the green's eyeridges, unable to help but smile at the sheer innocence her lifemate seems to exude.
While it isn't late enough to be able to fly under the stars the idea of seeing the pair in flight is something that is acceptable to Marzoth, « Yes. It is. » he says to Zeleth. He sees his in and he is going to take it. He smiles a dragonish smile toward Kith, « It's true you are beautiful. If you impress me I'll make you a queen. Let's see you in the air. » Vanity is such an easy thing to exploit and there are more subtle ways than bullying to achieve an end. Syd nods as they both express their interests, "Every week has something thats good about it. Flame and Chaos are both good wings. There is nothing wrong with continuing in your craft either. We need crafters just as much as anything else."
K'lar turns towards Zeleth, "I am sorry to leave on such notice, Sir, since you wished to view our progress and speak to us. But I must tend to her for a moment, I forgot something before coming out here. I swear her memory is effecting mine." K'lar laughs cheerfully, nudging the green. "See you latr, Sir. I'd like to talk more about wings, too. Maybe you can tell Quinn and she can relate it to me." He lifts a hand and ducks inside, Zeleth following not long after.
Kith might well be aware what Marzoth is trying to get at, but she seems to play innocent for the time being. « But it isn't dark enough yet. What good is it to fly when you cannot be bathed in moonlight? » She croons to the larger male, her cool mindvoice laced with the most subtle hint of flowering blossoms. While Kith is trying to sweet-talk Marzoth, however, Quinn seems to be far more invested in a serious conversation about her future in the Weyr. She bids farewell to K'lar and Zeleth in turn, before continuing with her conversation. "I know that the weyr could use more security, even if the recent fire came down to children. We just don't know how safe the future will be, though." She frowns, tucking her loose blonde hair behind an ear. "I'd like to help the weyr where it needs it the most. Maybe even if that means helping future generations." She gestures back to the barracks.
Marzoth watches the other green head off back toward the barracks without a word, leaving only poor Kith behind. Marzoth observes her closely, trying to get a better sense of who she is and what she is about, « Is it not enough that simply ask? » he responds in something close to a playful question. « Have you no wish to impress me? » Syd is also more intent on the conversation with the other human than whatever the heck it is Marzoth is trying to accomplish. As long as he doesn't plan violence he's free to do as he pleases, "Security is important, but there are things that we can't stop even if we had security crawling all over the place. We don't want to drive people away. It's all about finding the right ratio. If you did want to stay in Chaos wing you'd have to study hard and get good marks on your final exams."
"Studying is no different to training, I could do it." Quinn states confidently. She doesn't speak for Kith though, who is still eyeing Marzoth up. "What does the final exam comprise of, for that matter? I assume both practical and theory are applicable." Tucking her hands into the pockets of her hide pants, Quinn leans on one leg and takes a more casual stance now that she seems to be free of scrutiny, although on occasion she glances back to her lifemate. Kith, now preening her wings again, gives Marzoth a coy reply. « Aren't you impressed with me already? » She croons, extending her wings just a bit more to display their lengthy magnificence. It almost didn't seem to matter if he was or not, for Kith had already determined that he was.
"There will be written tests, as well as an oral interview with the weyrlingmaster staff most likely. There will also be practical demonstrations of capability covering most of the things you've gone over in lessons already. Things like that. It seems like alot but really its less stressful than it sounds when you are going through it because it covers things you already should know how to do well." Syd explains, "Then you make known your choice of wings and the wingleader can take you or not depending on what they need." Marzoth just wanted to con her into flying to see how good she was at it. He can tell this is becoming something else though he never was good at this, « Perhaps. » is all he says in response.
Quinn nods and makes those mental notes at each stage of what would be her future exams, noting further to herself on areas where she and Kith would no doubt need to put in just a little more work to achieve those good grades. "What happens to those who get bad grades? Do they remain weyrlings forever.. ?" Quinn asks not out of concern for herself, but more curiosity. Or perhaps a desire to know what might happen to those in her Wing who weren't as able-bodied. Meanwhile, Kith seems to be having far more fun poking at Marzoth's mind now, having scooted just a little closer to get more personal. « Why do you like flying at night? Do you like the moon too? » She asks curiously, tail swishing through the air. Any idea of flying had gone right out the window at this point while she was trying to be oh-so-innocently nosy.
It's a dangerous thing to poke around in Marzoth's head and not always for the obvious reasons. Though poor Kith wouldn't know that. « The night is quiet and the moon is better than the sun. » Marzoth responds to scooting closer by closing the distance and doing his best to curl around her, though she could always just walk away. Syd glances over and Marzoth and sighs, that is about he last thing he wants to deal with, "No they will graduate. Though they may not be assigned to the spots that they want and may progress through the ranks more slowly."
« The moon is very pretty. I want to go there one day. » Kith seems delighted to share in her ambitions, and doesn't at all flinch when Marzoth coils around her. There's a slight reluctance, however, as if she isn't entirely sure on settling down in the shadow of the Bronze just yet. After all, the only one who she'd cuddled with so much was Garouth and he was her big brother. Sibling love, right? « Would you like to come with us? » Kith asks, the sweetness in her mind growing steadily to a far more obvious level. Quinn isn't too sure on how to react to seeing her lifemate cuddling up to the Weyrleader's dragon, so she clears her throat after following Syd's gaze and looks back to the man with hands clasping behind her back. "Do all Weyrs operate the same way with weyrlings?"
Marzoth is not known for his cuddly personality. Though he seems content enough to stay curled around her. He'll lean down to rest his head against her neck, « If you wish it. » After all he has to keep an eye on this green now, « When you are done with your training you'll have more freedom to do as you please. » Syd can only shrugg his shoulders and try to dispel the weirdness of the moment, "You get used to them having minds of their own. Don't worry about it…" As for her question, "There is a general program I think most weyrs follow, but every weyr is free to do as they please. It's sort of evolved that way."
Weird is one way of putting it. Quinn shifts uncomfortably as her eyes constantly trail back to the pair of dragons now coiled up together on the sand. It's just a little bit awkward, but Kith seems to be taking it in her stride. « Freedom means we can fly together at night. That would be fun! Don't you agree? » The young female seems positively delighted to be nestled where she is, earning Marzoth's attentions the entire time. After all, she was worthy of it! "Should we um.. Seperate them?" Quinn asks nervously to Syd, nodding to the two dragons. The situation wasn't exactly protocol and poor Quinn was at a loss whether to regard Marzoth's favouring of her green to be encouraged or not.
Syd wouldn't favor this situation one bit, though he is at a loss of how to deal with it in the present moment, "Could try, though that might just upset them." And an upset Marzoth isn't fun for him to deal with, "If you want her to you can ask her and see if she's willing." Clearly Kith is the more reasonable of the two. Marzoth doesn't like that the humans are looking at him like that, « I think that it might be. » he agrees with the green. He does send a glare of red eys toward Syd though with an unspoken, 'Don't you dare mess this up for me.'
Kith really seems happy where she is too, and Quinn has yet to do anything to upset her lifemate beside take too long with oiling her hide. Nervously the woman bites her lip as she considers her options, but then relays a delicate message to the cosy Kith. "Your hide will need oiling again soon. Don't you think we should go and see to that?" The question is given severe consideration from the green who lifts her head, but the response is just as delightfully innocent as ever. « But he enjoys the night too. I like talking to him. » It's a sweetness that Quinn can barely contest with and she turns back to Syd with an exasperated expression. "I suppose it won't harm if they have a little more time together, I guess.. ?" The woman asks, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck. She lowers her voice just a little, as if hoping neither of the dragons will hear. ".. Is this going to affect things in later lessons? You know, about.. Flights.. ?"
Marzoth keeps his glare on Syd though stays put right where he is. If this makes the humans uncomfortable that is there business to deal with, not his. He sits there silently quite content. Syd has had to get used to the fact that on occasion Marzoth pays attention to female dragons. It's just part of the job really, though he'd rather not have to deal with it, "It probably won't hurt anything. It's just something you have to get used too. It shouldn't affect that…I don't think anyway. As long as she's comfortable it probably is fine. Though I should tell you Marzoth has been known to be posessive..which is why I try to discourage this sort of thing."
With her rider now distracted again, Kith makes herself comfortable again. She likes being treated and pampered, so this fits in perfectly with her agenda. She might be smaller, but that doesn't stop her from trying to playfully bat at Marzoth's form with her tail and wings, and even try to nip at him as an excited hatchling would. Quinn just watches for now, although she resigns with a low sigh and rolls her shoulders. "I don't hear any complaining so I think it's okay.. For now. I'm not sure how Garouth will take it though. He's been pretty protective of her too." The woman scratches her head with a confused expression and looks back towards the barracks. "I hope this doesn't cause them to.. 'Fall out' with each other, or whatever dragons do."
Marzoth will allow the batting and the nipping without responding in kind. He'd not want to risk hurting the green and driving her away. That would not be what he would want at all. « I think I will be watching you very closely going forward. » Cause observation equals romance…duh. "It is impossible to tell. They do have falling outs though. I've seen it happen a number of times and it's never pretty." Syd says with a slight shrug, "I can say that Marzoth doesn't really stand for any competition. It may be that he just forgets about this and moves on and if he doesn't then she can look forward to him pushing every other male away…forcefully."
Quinn winces slightly at the prospect of dragon arguements. Could they possibly be as bad as she imagined? "I suppose it'll be up to us riders to keep them from tearing each other apart? Not literally, of course." Quinn tries to make light-hearted fun of the situation, but she does scratch her head again. "I'll have to keep reminding her not to toy with feelings, but I really don't think she's even aware of what she's doing." The woman shrugs, now bringings her arms to fold as she watches the pair lounging around. « Will you? I'd like that. Garouth says he'd follow me too because I'm like the moon. Do you think I am too? » Kith's milky jade hide seems pretty ordinary in the sunlight, but she seems intent on trying to keep Marzoth's interests invested.
S'dny wishes he could be more light hearted about this, "Yes. They can get violent. Marzoth once knocked a blue out of the sky." Granted that was special circumstances, but still, "You find ways to just deal with things with experience." Why can't Syd ever have things just nice, "I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Marzoth considers this statement for a moment from his place curled around Kith, « Yes I will. I think I'll keep you. » As for her being like the moon…well « I suppose there is a passing similarity. »
Quinn does pale slightly at the prospect of Marzoth potentially ravaging any other dragon that might come between him and Kith, but the lithe green seems perfectly fine with it all. « Keep me? » She asks ever-so-innocently, with the true intent behind the bronze's words flying completely over her head. Maybe he means in this cuddly position? It is cosy, after all. Quinn just watches on and frowns again, mouth twisting and her lips going thin as she purses them in thought. "I didn't expect her to draw your bronze's attention, sir. I suppose I should apologise on her behalf if this is.. going to cause issues."
There's a slight additional gleam to Garouth's hide as he pads out of the caverns, a brightening of the bronze glimmers by recent use of oil. He carries his wings slightly spread, the better to let that oil soak in, and their tattered edges shift as he approaches. His mind appears like his shadow under him, a breath of cold sweeping to green and larger bronze as his greened eyes observe them. « Hello. »
"I don't think there is any need to apologize. Sometimes these sorts of things just happen. It's not like you can really plan for this…" Syd replies, "We aren't our dragons and they aren't us. They have minds of their own and so these things pop up from time to time. We make the best of them." Cause what else is there to do? Marzoth doesn't reply right away to the green though eventually he simply says, « Yes. » Though his attention is drawn away from her to the young bronze who has just emerged, « Hello. » he says simply.
Like an excited puppy at seeing a friend, Kith's mindvoice is almost flooded with the potent scent of flowers as Garouth's voice touches her mind. His greeting is returned quite enthusiastically and it prompts the little green to try and wriggle her way out of Marzoth's coiling embrace to bound over to her clutchbrother. « He wants to fly to the moon with us too! » She croons in excitement. Quinn, by this point, is desperately trying not to acknowledge the fact that Garouth had just arrived. Without D'lei in sight though, the woman glances across to the barracks to see if he might be lagging behind. "I'd say D'lei has made the most progress in our class so far. He's been achieving his goals and more in every lesson." She notes to Syd, finally looking back to the Weyrleader. "And he's not so scrawny as when I first met him, either."
Little creatures of the night stir from the shadowed branches of Garouth's mind, bats and birds drawn by the sweet scent of flowers. Their wings make a ripple in the shadows against Kith's mind. « To the moon with us? » he repeats, and raises his gaze from Kith to regard Marzoth again. His eyes are penetrating and cold, considering the bronze like he's a herdbeast to hunt or… a challenger for some prize. « What do you know of the moon? » he asks the bronze. D'lei was… well, delayed, but only for a few moments; here he comes now! Unscrawny and everything, even. He lifts a hand, with a cheerful wave and then a moment's pause as he notes S'dny. Huh. Not who he expected here!
Marzoth will let the struggling green go without attempting to keep her somewhere she doesn't wish to be. This allows him to get once more to his feet and return gaze of the young bronze with his own flickering red eyes, « Considerably more than you. » is his curt reply. As far as Marzoth is concerned the night belongs to him and anyone else only visitor to that realm. Syd just stands there as Quinn explains that D'lei doing so well, though he keeps his gaze on the dragons, "Thats good to hear. I'm glad he's doing so well…" And suddenly there D'lei is! "Hello." Syd calls to him.
Boundless excitement is evident in the green's motions as she nips and bats at her clutchbrother's limbs, easily dwarved by him now but ambitious all the same. Even if the bronze don't seem to get along perfectly well, that is entirely lost on Kith who is already trotting back over to Marzoth again. She wants to sit next to both of them, but they're so far apart! She'll just have to go between them! "Hey D'lei! You missed the conversation about Wings. Have you picked one too?" Quinn beckons the other weyrling over and waits for him to join their conversation.
Is that a dip of one wing, the better to bring it into Kith's range? Maybe. Garouth certainly obliges his sister's affections, even if his gaze remains on Marzoth, meeting those red eyes steady with his own. He listens for the answer, then considers on it a moment as Kith bounds back. « Perhaps. » He still doesn't look away from Marzoth. « You are older. » With that, he steps closer, following Kith. D'lei lowers his hand as he's greeted, the pause replaced by a grin as he comes on over to join them. "I did, huh?" he says to Quinn, and hehs. "Missed out on all the dire warnings of which ones are secretly terrible." He gives his head a bit of a rueful shake, then grins. "It's okay, I probably wouldn't have listened anyhow. I'm aiming Deluge."
Marzoth stays put and won't reach out for the green just yet, and he can't very well fight her brother in front of her. That never works to gain someones affection so he'll play it cool for now, « Yes. Older, bigger, and stronger. » he affirms. Syd keeps his eyes on Marzoth and the other dragons…just in case. Though it seems to be going as well as can be expected at the moment, "You don't have to worry about any of them being terrible. Deluge is a good wing. Very professional." Not that he would be in a position to say otherwise even if it were the case since he'd bear the responsibility for fixing it.
Quinn nods as she tucks her hands back into her pockets. "Deluge? I was thinking Flame or Chaos myself." She responds, appearing more relaxed although her eyes do wander back to the trio of bronze and green. She'd rather there weren't any fights and seemingly it was as if the three were going to get along. Perhaps. Kith might have been making things secretley worse, for as Garouth follows her she croons and returns her affections to him again. After all, he was her big brother! « The journey certainly won't be lonely! » She soon settles between the two and sets about preening a wing again, making sure that she's seen by all. Look over here, guys! Did you know that she's pretty?! Any arguement between the two? Well, they could handle it.
"Even better," D'lei says to S'dny with a nod. "No wrong answers." Which doesn't quite explain the flicker of disappointment as he hears Quinn's own answer, though it's gone quickly and he nods. "Makes sense. Use what you know, or teach it." He grins. "For me, well… I don't want to give up on my tech, but just doing a craft wing seems like a waste of Garouth. And me, I guess." A glance down at himself, and then a shrug as his eyes lift to the other two once more. "So… Deluge." Garouth follows Kith to where Marzoth sits, his posture one of deliberate unconcern that belies tensed muscles beneath his hide. It's not that he's going to make the first move, it's just… he'll be ready to make the second. « Older. » he repeats. « And bigger. » There he stops speaking, though he takes a few more steps before he sits in a spot carefully selected so he can watch Marzoth but not touch him while still letting Kith brush against them both. The shadows of his mind reach to both, but they're deeper around the green, with shifting darkness that stills for a moment at her words. « No. You will not be lonely. » A cold breeze sets the branches in motion once more. « That is good. »
Marzoth is well aware she is pretty and he'd bet that Garouth is as well. The dark bronze lets body relax a bit and seems utterly unconcerned about the proximity of the other bronze. His reasoning is simple if the other bronze attacks then he has cause to respond…which would be fun. And if he doesn't then he communicates to him that he doesn't view him as anything more than a minor annoyance. His attention turns to the green, « You should come visit my home. » Yes. Get her away from Garouth…who has at present one advantage Marzoth can't mitigate. Proximity. He leans down to try to gently nudge the greens neck. Syd nods, "Though there are many riders who do persue a craft if they so choose. It isn't considered a waste. Though I can understand wanting to do something different as well."
The excitement of being around her brother and the weyrleader's dragon is soon becoming quite overwhelming for Kith, whose form is now snug and cosy between the two bronzes. Growing more tired, the gentle breeze sweeping through her mind carries the sweet scent further away until it fades and leaves the pool of water in her mindvoice calm, without disturbance. « Where do you live? What is it like there? » Kith's mind is briefly perked by the offer of visiting another dragon's weyr, and in honesty it becomes a very tempting offer due to the green's frequent (and boring) lifestyle trapped at the barracks. The nudge only sweetens the deal as it causes the green to try and butt her wedge-shaped snout back against Marzoth's neck in turn. This affection doesn't go unnoticed by Quinn, whom frowns slightly at Kith's behaviour. "I'm not really one for a Craft. Guarding is all I knew so it would make sense to go where my strengths lie. I just have to think about what's best-fitting for Kith too." She adds in, giving D'lei a slightly sympathetic smile. "We can still meet up for training even after we graduate."
"…oh sure!" D'lei nods to S'dny, quick now with assurances. "I mean, I'm not saying it's a waste in general. Not at all. Just, uh… Garouth." He glances to his bronze and the Definitely Peaceful Standoff he's in with Marzoth. "He'll - we'll both - be happier with somewhere to put his energy." He looks back to Quinn again, and nods to her. "For sure. It's not like we'll be across Pern or anything." Even if that advantage of proximity Marzoth is considering will, of course, be a transient one. Garouth doesn't stir as Marzoth nudges Kith - nor even as it's reciprocated by his sister. He merely remains where he is, sitting in shadows beside Kith and listening to her speak to the other bronze, her other shadow… right now, at least.
Marzoth senses that victory is near, at least with this particular battle. He smiles inwardly, the fairy lights of his forest dancing in the night. « It is just off of the main clearing. You can watch everyone who comes and goes from there, and you miss very little. It is much better than the barracks. » Not that it takes much to be better than that. He allows the nudge, taking it in stride. "I completely understand that." Syd replies to D'lei, "Giving a dragon something to do is very important for their health and your peace of mind."
Quinn nods again as D'lei responds and she takes a moment to stretch her limbs. Standing outside for so long has begun to take its toll and the woman's stomach even rumbles as a sheer indication that it was perhaps time to move on. "I'm going to head on inside and get something to eat now." She says to both, delivering a firm salute as a form of farewell. "I don't think Kith will follow me so.. Do make sure she doesn't get eaten?" Again, another poor attempt at a joke. With knuckles cracking Quinn heads off, waving across her shoulder to the pair as she trudges into the barracks. Kith, however, sweems reluctant to budge and she's soon sprawled out between the two bronzes, with her head closest to Garouth and her tail flicking and whipping playfully at Marzoth's legs. Those fairy lights sure are pretty and enticing, but the comforting shadows are too. After all, the moon is embraced by the dark of night! « That does sound tempting.. » She almost seems to purr like a content kitten.
"Yeah, that," D'lei says to S'dny with a nod. Communication, successful! He hehs to Quinn, with another look to the three dragons. "…no promises," he says, tone not quite entirely joking but definitely not serious. "But I'll certainly try." He grins, and gives her a wave as she heads back to eat. Garouth tilts his head in, touching it to Kith's neck with a soft nuzzle, like the caress of cool night breezes that's in his mind. « It is one vantage. » He directs his words to her, even if they're sort of in response to Marzoth. « You can see some things from there. You cannot see everything. Not from one place. »
S'dny returns the salute to Quinn, "Enjoy your dinner. I'm sure that everyone will remain in one piece." Probably anyway. It's never a sure thing. Marzoth gives a little shrug of his wings, « Maybe. » he responds to Garouth, «…but you can see a whole lot more than here. And you can't always go there, whereas you can always be here. » he adds pointedly, « Besides your brother will always be here when you return. » After Quinn is gone he smiles to D'lei, "So yeah…we get to deal with that." he casts his thumb toward the three dragons, "Good times." he adds.
With Quinn now out of the picture, Kith seems even more inclined to misbehave. Or at the very least, toy with the two Bronze's emotions even more! Of course, none of it is intentional; it's just the way Kith works. Brotherly love is responded in kind with all the nuzzles and happy crooning sounds, before rolling back around to face Marzoth. Any inclination of keeping clean seems to have been momentarily forgotten in the haze of questioning that the green now begins to perform on the older bronze. « Can Garouth not come too? » She asks curiously, her bright and rapidly-whirling blue eyes staring up at Marzoth.
D'lei regards the dragons, then gives a nod to S'dny as he looks back. "Does this sort of thing happen a lot? I mean…" What does he mean, anyhow? He's a bit at a loss for words, just vaguely gesturing to the three dragons and their interaction. Garouth has a soft rumble to answer Kith's croons, more easily felt by touch than heard, and his neck stays curved over her as she turns back to Marzoth. « He hungers for you. » he says, the soft crackle of frost in his thoughts as he speaks to Kith - though loud enough for Marzoth to hear. « He wishes you alone. Perhaps he fears my company. » There's a swirl of wind, amusement in the brief exhale. « Perhaps he should. »
"It happens more often than I'd like it too. It's not unusual…" Syd replies to the weyrlings question, "Dragons aren't so different from people in that regard. One big drama factory at times…" Marzoth could easily be blunt and confirm the other bronze's comment that he wants her alone, « Or perhaps your brother doesn't trust you enough to be away from him. Personally I think you are very able to take care of yourself. On a very practical level though…my home wouldn't be able to fit three dragons. It isn't that large. »
Looking between both bronzes, Kith tilts her head at Garouth's remark before looking back to Marzoth for some kind of confirmation. When instead the older bronze responds with a remark about trust, Kith tilts her head in the opposite direction. Dare she speak or should she remain silent? The cool waters of her mind ripple with an ever-increasing tempo as the fresh scent of a crisp forest bathed in night and fireflies fills the pair's minds. No, she isn't going to respond. It would be bad to pick a side, right? Instead, she continues her routine of swapping between the pair and ensuring both of them get her affectionate and playful nuzzles. One for Garouth, one for Marzoth. Rinse and repeat!
D'lei hehs, with a wry smile and a glance upwards before returning his gaze to S'dny. "Yeah, that's fair. I guess I was kind of hoping he'd, uh… grow up past things." He grins, looking at Marzoth again as the current example of older dragon. "Oh well." A shrug. "Keeps life interesting, right?" Faranth forbid that their lives should become boring, after all. And Kith, Marzoth and Garouth forbid, too! « I know you will leave. » The winds in his mind shift, clouds crossing the sky to bring deeper shadows. « If not now, then when the time is right. It is in your nature. » He leans in, returning Kith's nuzzles with dignified affection even as the clouds cover his mental sky, then looks to Marzoth.
Marzoth won't try to force a choice out of her yet. Not when he isn't sure that she wouldn't choose the other bronze. No. He'll patiently wait until the time is right. Everything must be carefully planned. Marzoth will allow the nuzzles, but not respond in kind while Garouth does. Instead he backs away from Garouth and Kith, « He is correct. You will soon have a weyr of your own. You may find me easily. Come by when you are ready, and I will be watching.» He unfurls his wings and with a leap takes to the sky to head off in the direction of the clearing. « It was good to meet you Kith. » he ads as he goes. To Garouth he says nothing. Syd nods his head absently, "It is never boring when you have a bronze. There is always something." Syd watches Marzoth go with a sigh of relief. Yay no bloodshed today!
Despite her want for attention and affection on all sides, Kith still remains silent as the two bronzes exchange 'pleasantries' until Marzoth decides to take his leave. Before she can issue a farewell nuzzle to Marzoth again, the bronze is suddenly up and she watches with a tilted head as he turns and takes off into the skies instead. « Take care! » She issues to him, letting the sweet vibrance of her mindvoice follow him until he soars out of sight. Her eyes, slowly whirling in a mix of blue and green then turn back to Garouth as she sprawls out on the sand beside her clutchbrother, now letting the flowery thoughts of her mind be embraced once more by the comforting and familiar shadows the bronze provides. « Why were you arguing? » Kith croons softly.
It's the small victories, sometimes. A day without bloodshed! And tomorrow… well, worry about that one when it gets here. D'lei hehs, with a nod to S'dny. "Better that than dull. I think, anyhow." He grins. "I'd better, seeing as how I'm stuck with him." There's fondness in his tone, though, and in his expression as he turns to look to where… it's just Garouth and Kith, now. « Farewell, » he says to Marzoth despite the other bronze's lack of comment, a chill gust of pleasantry before he relaxes against Kith. There's a pensive cast to his posture, a quiet in the shadows that slip beneath flowers like dark soil and pass over on the wings of silent night hunters. « Because of you. » he answers her simply. « You are beautiful. » There's no flattery to his tone; only fact in answer to her question.
"Yes you are. Very stuck. Anyway I suppose I best be getting on about the rest of my day. Good luck with that…" he says tipping his head toward Garouth and Kith, "I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again." Syd then begins to take his leave. He'll have to have a chat with Marzoth about this. Hopefully its something that can be contained and not get too far out of hand.